Bicycle-bell clamp



' (No Model.)

B. D. ROCKWELL.

BIGYGLE BELL CLAMP.

Patented Dec. 1, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDIVARD DAYTON ROCKIVELL, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT.

BICYCLE-BELL CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,450, dated December 1, 1896.

Application filed September 12, 1896. Serial No. 605,603. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD DAYTON R0 OK- WELL, of Bristol, in the county of Hartford, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps, of

which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

One object of my invention is to produce in a clamp specially adapted for securing a bell to a bicycle handle-bar a shorter support for the base of the bell than in clamps heretofore employed.

Another object of my invention is to produce in such a clamp embodying a band-clip means for winding up the free end of the band-clip to fit the clamp to different bars without the necessity of removing any screw or similar separable part. I'Ieretofore in clamps of this general class either one end of the band has been permanently fastened to the clamp and a screw at the other end has been depended upon entirely for fastening and adjusting the clamp in place or, where both ends of the clip have been made separable from the clamp, one or more screws have been employed'for securing any adjustment provided for in the device.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a section of a handle-bar, showing my clamp in side elevation secured to abell. Fig. II is a view taken at right angles to the same. Fig. III is a plan View of a plate from which my clamp or frame is made. Fig. IV is a perspective View of the clamp-frame complete. Fig. V is a side elevation of the bandclip head and screw detached. Fig. VI is a View illustrating the manner of winding the free end of the clip by the aid of the clampframe. Fig. VII is a View of a modified form of frame and band-clip, showing the band surrounding a section of handle-bar and one side of the frame removed.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates a handle-bar of a bicycle.

2 indicates a bell of any suitable and ordinary construction, the base 3 of which is secured in any usual manner to my clamp-frame at. This frame, on account of economic reasons, I prefer to make of sheet metal. sheet may be formed as illustrated in Fig. III

of the drawings. Afterward it is stamped by the aid of dies to produce parallel side pieces 5 and an end piece 6, which in the completed article is brazed or otherwise secured across the front of the side piece. The plate as originally stamped is provided with narrow recesses 7, which may be called key-slits,

being located opposite each other when the sides of the frame are struck up. The end piece '6 is also provided with a screw-slot 8, the lower end of the end piece upon opposite sides of the front piece being struck up to form lugs 10.

11 indicatesa band-clip made of suitable readily-flexible sheet metal, as, for instance, brass. It is designed to encircle the handlebar and, being fastened at opposite ends of the frame, to constitute means for securing a ported in position by the lugs 10 when the parts are properly assembled.

Upon the end of the clip opposite the head I provide a winding-key 16, which preferably consists of a piece of flat metal firmly secured, as by a rivet 17, to the clip and having its opposite ends 18 projecting so as to enter the key-slits and retain the end of the clip, against a tension upon it, in engagement with the frame. Such tension, it will be perceived, is obtainable within meagre limits through the aid of the screw 15. If, however, the handlebar to which the bell is secured be of a size materially different from the one to which the clip is first adjusted, the key end of the clip is wound upon or unwound from the key, so as to make the band of suitable length. The winding of the end of the clip by the aid of the key is readily accomplished by inserting it into one of the key-slits and using the bell as a wrench, as illustrated in Fig. VI of the drawings.

One feature of this invention is that the clip can be entirely separated from the frame without removing any screw or other part liable to be lost or misplaced, because the only screw employed forms a part of the clip and may be always carried upon it.

The extremities of the key-slits are rounded, as illustrated at 18, whereby, when the bandclip, its key, and screw have been properly adjusted, the screw may be inserted into its slot 8, the clip placed around the handle-bar, and by pressure against the keyed end the key may be forced into the slits 7, thereby rendering it feasible to secure the parts together without the aid of a screw-driver.

In Fig. VII of the drawings I have shown a modified form of my device in which keyslits. 19 are shown as opening toward the handle-bar, instead of from it, as shown in the other drawings, and the winding-key 20 is illustrated as cylindrical, With terminal lugs 21, adapted to enter the slits 1f).

\Vhat I claim is 1. In a clamp, the combination with a frame provided with parallel sides, and opposite key slits, of a band-clip, means for securing it to the frame at one end, and a winding-key at the other end, adapted to enter the key-slits in the frame, substantially as set forth.

2. In a clamp, the combination with a frame provided with opposite parallel sides,and keyslits therein, of a band-clip, means for securing it at one end to the frame, a winding-key secured at the other end, adapted to enter the slits, the width of the band being slightly narrower than the distance between the sides of the frame, whereby, when the key is inserted into the key-slits, the band is confined between the frame sides against lateral displacement, substantially as set forth.

3. In a clamp, the combination with a frame provided with opposite parallel sides, and keyslits in the sides provided with rounded ends, of a band-clip, means for securing it at one end to the frame, and a winding-key secured at the other end, adapted by pressure to be forced over the rounded ends of the key-slits into them, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

EDWARD DAYTON ROCKWELL.

\Vitnesses:

XVILLIAM L. NEUBA'UER, HOWARD E. KILBORN. 

